Working in Turkey

Work Permits are either obtained from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı) or from the Consulates of Turkish Republic abroad.

Essential documents needed are:
- Permission from the Turkish Consulate,
- Passport
- Population information duly certified by notary public
- Passport photos

To receive the permission from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, additional documents are requested. The applicant is given a two-paged document that includes the requested information. The information may be given on a separate page either typed or printed by a computer.

The declaration form requests the following information :
Name of employing company; title; head office address; whether capital is foreign or not; the address the foreigner is going to work at, the type of business the company is involved in; capital information; previous year exportation in dollars; date of establishment; recorded and paid share capital; the total number of Turkish personnel working in the Company and the name, nationality and the position the foreigner has taken part in previous companies.

In addition, the following personal information is required of the person requesting the work permit:
Passport number; name and surname; name of father and mother; date and place of birth; marital status and nationality of the wife/husband, if married.
If a previous work permit had been issued, then the following information is also required: details of the issuing authority and the date and number of previous permit documents; name of previous company; the term of employment that the foreigner worked in that company, the position he/she held and the reason of severance (non-employment, leaving, separating etc.).

With regard to education, the following information is required:
The applicants' educational status
The names and locations of recent schools the applicant graduated from; and the area of specialization.

If the foreigner has been in Turkey before, the following information is required:
Dates in Turkey, places of residence and an explanation for your presence in Turkey.
Names, addresses and phone numbers of the persons and the companies the applicant is using as reference,
Entity of the position of the applying foreigner in the company,
Proposed term of employment,
Monthly gross salary to be paid to the foreigner .
The reason for employing a foreigner instead of a Turkish citizen.

At the end of the declaration form, there is a date, which should be filled in. The employer and the foreign employee should put signatures at the bottom and the employer a cache in addition certifying that the information given by them is true.

The following additional documents must also be attached to the declaration form:
Passport copies that are either certified by a notary public or the applicant's Consulate.
Copies of investment incentive certificates and exportation incentive certificates certified by the Foreign Capital Directorate; the activity report of the last(previous) year and the income/outcome table and balance sheet certified by the related tax directorate;
Bank letter supporting the last year exportation if the company is an exporting company,
Other documents such as a photocopy of the permit document if a previous permit exists, letters of recommendation, diploma, etc.

Online follow-up “work permit” application:
Please note that it is now available to follow your “work permit” application online. You can see the scanned original application, establish interactive communication with the personnel and view the detailed stages of your documents at Turkish Labor and Social Security website . However the page is in Turkish therefore you may need some help.

The declaration form can be provided from the offical website of Ministry of Labor and Social Security, which is given below.

Moreover the latest amendments to the "Law on the Work Permit for Foreigners" can be followed from the same link.

Latest comments about this article

 By Allex  24.8.2010

Hi! I´m 21 years old and searching for work in Istanbul. I am here with tourist visa and I will like to find job as English teacher. I have bachelor´s degree for pre-school and I-IV grade, English teaching degree and experience as kindergarten teacher. I can also give private tutor or be nanny. Also worked in PR and have great people skills. I do not expect accomodation if any job offered, but I will ask for work permit for as long as the job is (3 - 12 months). If you have a job offer for me, please contact at e-mail: streetfunkpj_s@yahoo.com Thanks

 By Khalil  25.3.2010

Hello I am Khalil Mozaffari. I am fluent in English and Persian language. Im seekıng any employment that needs englısh or persian language. If there is anything i can do please call me. By the way i can move to most city for working. I am waiting for your response. kh64h@yahoo.com cell: 05383308118

 By ZainabZeynep  18.2.2010

Selam Arkadaslar! IMDAT :-) Has anyone a job for me in Istanbul? I´m Cosmetican and would like to work in this area... Few years before I worked as a Callcenter agent for the ´´Telekom´´...if there would be a free vacancie as a Callcenter agent, i would like to work for it,too! I speak german, english and I´m learning turkish now. my e-mail: bibi_hamburg@web.de Tesekkürler*

 By Kiwimel  25.11.2009

Hi, I have recently moved to Istanbul and am looking for work primarily to meet new people. I´m a Learning and Development Consultant by trade which basically means I teach adults for a living. I´m happy to do anything big or small. Does anyone have any openings? I´m outgoing and would love the opportunity to try something new.

 By Helena_B  5.11.2009

Hello, I am looking for a job in Antalya. I am 18 years old. I speak, read and write fluently in English. I can speak, read and write French. I can understand and read German and my motherlanguage is Dutch. I also speak Turkish (I have been living here for two years). I am great with children, so i would love to teach them a language(maybe combined with babysitting). I would also be very helpfull in teaching Turkish to children, teenagers or adults. Someone who had to learn a language can, most of the time, explain better than a native speaker. If anyone has a job for me, please let me know. E-mail me at helena_1991_@hotmail.com

 By snt  30.9.2009

Hello, I´m helping out some friends to look for a native English Speaker, to talk to a baby (he is almost 1 yr.old) and play with him in English, 3-4 hours each day of the week(except weekends). The baby is an American citizen(born abroad), so the parents want to raise him bilingual. The baby already has a baby-sitter, and there is a cleaner at the house full time too, so this person will only be an ´English conversation buddy´ for the baby. They will pay a salary for this part time job. the job is in Istanbul- Anatolian side. Please contact me at 533-2844764 if you are interested, or email nidatozluklu@yahoo.com Thank you so much!

 By ozelj  1.5.2009

NEED NAIL TECHNICIANs & MANICURISTs We have been establishing the first and the best hand & nail care studios in Turkey (Istanbul & Izmir). Working permission is required. Application: Jale OZEL ozelj@hotmail.com +90 - 532 - 738 3883

 By TRINKET  18.12.2008

Hello, my name ıs Trınket. Im an amerıcan cıtızen and lıve ın Istanbul. Im seekıng employment I speak fluent Englısh . If there ıs anythıng I can do , please call me I greatly apprecıate ıt. 0539 575 1504 . Thank You Trınket.

 By TRINKET  18.12.2008

Hello, my name ıs Trınket.Im an amerıcan cıtızen. I lıve ın Istanbul and speak fluent Englısh. Im seekıng any employment that aquıres englısh language. If anyone could be of assıstance to me I greatly apprecıate ıt. Please call me wıth any ınfo. 0539 575 1504. Thanks agaın Trınket .

 By mariaryana  23.2.2008

Hello..All my life i really dreamed to work in turkey because my love live there.we be near 1 year and i wanna spent my whole life with him till we grow old together...his name is servet...hope i can find job here easily.

 By karakristmas  10.2.2008

Hi . I just joined. I am looking for something to do from May to July in Turkey. I really want to see the culture and the country there. I have been an au pair in France for the past year, so I could do something like this. Are there any local sites I can get into. I am willing to do almost anything to make a little money so I can afford to stay there for 2 months. Even tutor English if anyone knows anything about that. Thanks kara

 By two female Egyptians want two jo  3.1.2008

we are two female egyptians singles 25 years we live in egypt now we want two jobs abroad together as arabic teachers or teachers for Oriental dance or animation ” animators and dancers ” or hostesses or in staff” we have good look 157 cm and 53 kg have university degree from Alexandria university 2003 Good in English not fluent good in computer skills and internet we want two opening jobs together not one only with work visas not one only because we must travel together to work please send all details about jobs and your company if there opening jobs v012010@gmail.com

 By lucky_girl  29.12.2007

hiii i´m hakima from morocco i´m 24 i´m a law graduate & i have an experience in administrative assistant . i speak arabic ( my native language ) & english i want to live in turkey & get a job there but i don´t know how . i really need your advices i don´t speak turkish but i can learn it . here my email : hakima_tabich@hotmail.com

 By maxak508  24.10.2007

Hi my name is Haris and I am from Bosnia-Sarajevo. me and my roomate want to move to turkey-istambul or ankara. I haave no information how I am going to find a job there.. i want to work as an English tutor or as a waiter or even washing dishes. could someone plz give me aditional information on how I can get-apply for a job in Turkey or what do I need to do. I want to secure my self and have atleast some thing befor I make this big trip with my roomate. please contact me on maxak508@hotmail.com or + 387 62 971 063 and if u know or here of any cind of job in Turkey let me know. Thank u Haris from Sarajevo

 By Uzma  16.9.2007

Hi, I am a 33 year old female. Was in Istanbul in 2005 and fell in love with the city. At present I am working in Dubai for an events management company, have been based in Dubai for the last 32 years but I am originally from Dubai. Are there any jobs for me out there??

 By Sonia86  19.7.2007

Hi, I´m Sonia, I´m a 21 years-old argentine girl. I´m a translator already and I´m studying to be an interpreter too. I´ve been to Turkey last january and fell in love with this country so I´ve decided to move to Turkey for a year or so before finishing my course of studies and I would like to know whether it would be hard or not to find a job as a translator or interpreter there. I could also work as an english or spanish teacher too. I´ll be very glad if you could help me with information or some advice on this topic. I´m looking forward to hearing from you. My e-mail adress is sonianievas@hotmail.com.Thank you.

 By Demus  9.7.2007

Hi there i am contemplating a move to Istanbul. I currently live in London and have nearly 10 years experience working in the care sector with adults + children with learning difficulties. I dont think that Turkey currently has a mass of oppurtunities in this area so could anyone give me some pointers as to the areas of work i could look into or inform me of any links they have please, thanks .

 By nicky07  4.7.2007

hi i am moving to turkey soon and would like to work there i am tefl qualified and i am also qualified nail technician can i get a job easily or is it going to be very hard, i would like to work for my friend on a self employed basis can this be done.

 By welshnatalie  15.3.2007

hi there i would like to work in turkey but in marmaris when i leave school has a childrens rep because i have always wanted to work with children so if anyone hears anything about this job please email me back on welshnatalie@hotmail.com thanks natalie

 By aida_a  13.3.2007

Hello. My name is Aida.I`m 23.I live in Latvia. I have bf in Turkey-in Ankara and I wood like to find job in Ankara and live in Ankara. I dont know turkish language yet,but learning now.Please help me to find job in Ankara.Where I can search for a job and what I need for work in Turkey? Thank you. Aida aida_a83@hotmail.com

 By aida_a  13.3.2007

Hello. My name is Aida.I`m 23.I live in Latvia. I have bf in Turkey-in Ankara and I wood like to find job in Ankara and live in Ankara. I dont know turkish language yet,but learning now.Please help me to find job in Ankara.Where I can search for a job and what I need for work in Turkey? Thank you. Aida

 By Laubabyxx  1.3.2007

I would like to work in bodrum this summer after my college finishs from later june early july time and i am wondering how i can find something i can do im 17 and up for anything new if anyone got any ideas of how i can find work etc my email is laubabyxx@hotmail.co.uk thank you

 By Sean Tergis  23.12.2006

I am looking for a job in Istanbul in a tourist office or local travel agency. I am American but I currently live in Istanbul and I am learning Turkish (yavaş yavaş). Please let me know if you hear of anything. (seantergis@yahoo.com)

 By saadet  3.11.2006

there are always teaching jobs in istanbul, if want to and if you are a native speaker of english, and you dont know the ways of finding an english job, contact me. skimyon@yahoo.com

 By Kayleigh17  24.10.2006

Hiya really hoping you can help me i am moving to turkey in may but i really need advice on where to start on how i go about a work permit and also any documents that i need for living there. Also how much this will cost if someone can get back to me asap, because obviously aint got long on gigglefairy11@hotmail.com

 By DavidPlacencia  28.9.2006

Hi!, My name is David, Im a 24 years old mexican. im trying to fing a job in turkey probably in Hatay, Izmir or Estambul. i studied Biology, im olso a rescue diver hopping to get my master diver this year. have work experience in hotels and tourist related works, restaurants and public relations. i speak fluent english and olso read and write.spanish is my native language and olso speak little french. please write to me, if you have any information or are interested i can send my CV. chentaman@hotmail.com

 By SaRaH1989  30.8.2006

hi im sarah.im 17 years old and im thinking of living and working in tueky for a few months.I have recently been there on holiday and have made a few friends.I would like to know how to get a job and place to stay thanks.my email address is saresen89@hotmail.co.uk xx

 By Anda  13.8.2006

Hi, I am Anda, I am 24 and I am Romanian. I intend to relocate to Istanbul for good, as I will marry my Turkish fiance in a few months. I am interested in a job in this city and I am open to any serious job opportunity. I speak perfect English, good German and Spanish (but not yet Turkish) and I have graduated a Media and Advertising University. I am very creative and great at graphics, decor and clothing design. I will appreciate any job offer you might have. Thank you. andahancu@yahoo.com

 By RoshanMicah  10.8.2006

Hi all! I am a young British male and will be backpacking through Turkey from October of this year. I will be looking for work in a hotel or tourist bar for example. I speak no Turkish but fluent English. Please let me know if you have any contacts or are looking for an emplyee. Many thanks, Micah Reddy email: micah@mail2southafrica.com

 By olga_26  20.7.2006

Hello. My name is Olga...i am 26 years old russian. I am comming to turkey in september 2006. I am considering to take TEFL certificate. I am looking into teaching position in russian and english languages over Istanbul. I have got a university degree in english linguistics and intercultural communication. I could teach both english and russian as i am a native russian speaker. I consider myself as an enthusiastic,reliable,educated candidate. Please feel free to contact me at Olya7@inbox.ru Best regards Olga

 By Mabel  18.7.2006

Hi ,my name is Mabel. İ am 29 years. İ am peruvian married a turkish citizen. Now i am living in Bursa and i want to work in this country. İ am English teacher and i studied LİNGUİSTİCS in PERU,so i can teach spanish too and besides i have done works in translation (spanish/english and english/spanish) .İ am learning turkish now and i find it very interesting and melodious.Really, i am looking forward to working in Turkey .Please;if you know about some organizations or institutions that require my professional services; let me know . İ would be so much thankful . My email account is gladisender@yahoo.es See you !!! Enjoy life :)

 By uneycool  15.6.2006

Hi! I would love to work in Istanbul. I have a perfect writting/speaking English skill, and I don´t speak Turkish. I am now working in Advertising / Marketing career. Just wondering if you can help guide me to find a job which not much related with Turkish language. Thank you.

 By jongiovanni  24.2.2006

hello I would like to work in Istanbul because of my girlfriend. I dont speak Turkish. Can you tell me how hard is it to find english speaking jobs in Istanbul and what are the salaries like..? thanks jon

 By hannahnmurat  13.12.2005

Merhaba..Im 16 years old and i have a turkish boyfriend who is currently in the army :(...i want to work in turkey when im 19 after i finish my college course..im doing a b-tec first and national diploma in performing arts..and im also doing spanish at college. i want to get sent by an english company to work in ankara and be a entertainer abroad..whilst living with my boyfriend..please someone help me, make my dream come true! I NEED HELP HOW TO DO THIS!!!!

 By hollykugu  23.11.2005

my e-mail is hyoho@excite.com

 By hollykugu  23.11.2005

My husband is a Turkish Citizen. We have a daughter too. I want to go live in Turkey with him for a while until his papers for immigration are done. Can I get a residency visa if I´m not working there. Our marriage is registered in Turkey but me and my are not yet. What should I do and how long will it take? Thank You

 By spez_2k2  10.10.2004

hi. i am looking for information on how to work in turgutreis! i have been going there for 8 years now! i have a turkish boyfriend and i am wanting to work in turgutreis in summer 2005! my friend offered me a job in his shop, but i would like to know what i would need to work abroad! it would be very helpful if you could email me back with some information about working in turgutreis! also maybe the mandalinci hotel! my email is spez_2k2@yahoo.com

 By lorraine  22.9.2004

i am currently working for a travel agency called budget travel in ireland. i would be very interested in working in a travel agency in turgutreis or as a rep in the mandalinci hotel in turgutreis. i have been going there the past 12 years. any tips on how i get started??

 By rosalindkims  6.9.2004

I am looking into the possibility of starting a small business and would be interested to hear of the experiences of others..

 By mymerhaba team  28.6.2004

Dear Veronica and Lea, if you carry your comments to the Forum section of mymerhaba.com you will get more and detailed information.

 By veronica.mora  28.6.2004

Hi everybody!!! I´m from spain and i studied chemistry. I´ve got a turkish boyfriend and i´ve been thinking about moving to live in Istanbul. I was wondering if you could give me some information about getting a job in Istanbul for a foreign, is it difficult? I´d be really grateful if you could answer my question. My email address is halilvero@yahoo.es. Thanks in advanced.

 By Lea  28.6.2004

I would like to inquire about licensure to ptactice physical therapy in turkey, if there is one. Am an American therapist looking to expand my professional experience, can somebody help me?

 By katrinamcintyre@talk21.com  4.5.2004

Hi. My sister and I would like to buy a hotel in turkey. We would live and work in the hotel. Any ideas where we should start? We don´t know how to go about buying a commercial property in turkey (and if we did buy a hotel would we need a work permit to work in it?!?). Are there any reputable agencies or organisations that specialise in this kind of thing? Any ideas or contacts would be much appriciated. Regards, Katrina. (katrinamcintyre@talk21.com)

 By dbjones  2.3.2004

Hi Kathy if you took Turkish Nationality when you got married you can work if not its virtually impossible to work leagly

 By mymerhaba team  26.1.2004

Dear Sonica, we suggest you posting your message on the Forum or Community Billboard sections for an effective communication with other members. Thank you for your visit.

 By sonica  25.1.2004

hi! has someone read my ad at all. please guide me if anyone knows anything about medical transcription jobs in istanbul. thanks

 By sonica  18.1.2004

hi everyone! i am an experienced medical transcriptionist residing in istanbul for the past 3 years. since i came here i have been looking forward to work as a medical transcriptionist. i have worked with an esteemed MNC in U.S. and now am looking for an opening here. can somebody tell me if the doctors here require medical transcriptionists at all? Don´t doctors in international hospitals require transcriptionist to keep their medical records? I really look forward to hearing from someone about it

 By samantha  27.11.2003

hello i wondered if you could help me im 15 at the minite and want to work in altinukum didim when i get my g.c.s.e.´s im currently learning turkish out of books and have done alot of research on the place the only thing is i wondered what age you have to be when you want to work there i did not know if you could be 16 or not and please could you give me a website that offers information about working in turkey and what jobs i could have. also how you go about doing this. do not hestitate to contact me by mail on- samanthaturner2@hotmail.com thankyou miss s.turner

 By Lisa  22.11.2003

hi i am 16 years old and in a few years time i am moving to Turkey with my Turkish boyfriend.i want to start working over there.Any infomation about how to go about this i would appriciate loads.My e-mail is lisacafer24@hotmail.com thanx

 By Emma  5.11.2003

can someone help me? I am going to Marmaris next year for four months to get a job as a hairdresser or waitress. Does anyone know what i have to have in order to do this? my e-mail is emmarutherford16@msn.com

 By Millie Panton  4.11.2003

I am a 16 yaer old girl and i have been offered a job in a bar called ´the wonder boys´ the resort of Marmaris. I would like to find out if it is possible to get a permit for a job like that! I have benn offered it because i speak english German and am in process of learning turkish any information on this would be most welcome thankyou x

 By Kirsty  31.10.2003

I am looking to go and work in Turkey in August next year. I don´t know really what I need to do to be able to work over there. Any help would be great. Thanx

 By mymerhaba team  31.10.2003

Dear Christine, We suggest you posting your message on the Forum or Community Billboard sections for an effective communication with other members. Thank you for your visit.

 By Christine Van Elsen  31.10.2003

Hi, I am in the process of renewing my working/residency permit in Turkey and just discovered that as from 6/9/2003, foreigners must apply to the ministry of Work and Social Security. I am trying to find more about that - any help would be welcome. Regards, Christine Van Elsen Gocek

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